Playing with Palindromes

As a wordsmith, it's perhaps no surprise that I love words - and one of my favourite books on the subject is Mark Forsyth's The Etymologicon.  

This is a book all about language, where it comes from and how it has developed and it's a real joy to read as it's written in such a witty and engaging way.

Today I want to share with you the wonderful world of palindromes. Mark Forsyth says "the neatest palindrome in English is undoubtedly:

"A man, a plan, a canal: Panama"

It is indeed, for a palindrome is word phrase or number that can be read the same way in either direction (punctuation, capitals and spaces are usually ignored)  

In the above phrase you have a sentence that can be read backwards as well as forwards - take a look at it again to see what I mean.

Apparently palindromes have been in evidence from as long ago as 79 AD, so we've had plenty of time to hone them!  Please enjoy the following examples:

Madam I'm Adam

Never odd or even

Rise to vote sir

Was it a rat I saw

Step on no pets

Drab as a fool, aloof as a bard

Too hot to hoot

So many dynamos!

Norma is as selfless as I am, Ron

Some men interpret nine memos

Have you seen any palindromes that you'd like to share - indeed I challenge you to make one up. By the way if you find day-to-day copywriting as tricky as making up a palindrome check out how I can help